Illinois, California declare states of emergency over monkeypox outbreak
![Monkeypox vaccine site.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/NgtTru9AakNb2qskpzajf4-415-80.jpg)
Democratic Govs. Gavin Newsom of California and J.B. Pritzker of Illinois on Monday both declared states of emergency over monkeypox, as the latest virus of note continues to spread nationwide, CNN reports.
New York was the first state to declare a state of emergency, having done so on Friday, per The New York Times. California then followed Illinois on Monday.
An emergency declaration allows the state to access extra resources — like additional medical services personnel and vaccines — as well as better streamline its public health response.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
![https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516-320-80.jpg)
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
California is "working urgently" to "slow the spread of monkeypox" by "leveraging our robust testing, contact tracing, and community partnerships" that were strengthened during the COVID-19 pandemic, Newsom wrote in a statement, per CNN.
Pritzker, meanwhile, said he was declaring a state of emergency to "expand the resources and coordination efforts of state agencies in responding to, treating, and preventing the spread of [monkeypox]."
Monkeypox is a smallpox-like virus that often causes pimple-esque pox on the skin, as well as "flu-like symptoms such as fever, headaches, muscle aches, chills and respiratory symptoms," CNN writes. It spreads via close and typically skin-to-skin contact. Approximately 6,000 cases have been reported nationwide since May, and almost half of them have been in California, Illinois, and New York, the Times reports.
Men who have sex with men comprise roughly 99 percent of cases, but health officials have stressed that the "virus can spread to anyone who has prolonged skin-to-skin contact with a person who has the rash," the Times adds.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brigid Kennedy worked at The Week from 2021 to 2023 as a staff writer, junior editor and then story editor, with an interest in U.S. politics, the economy and the music industry.
-
The lab-made meat that 'could kill the EU'
Under The Radar Concerned at 'unintended consequences for farming' some farmers are 'turning rabid' over the rise of cultured meat
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Magazine solutions - August 2, 2024
Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - August 2, 2024
By The Week Staff Published
-
Magazine printables - August 2, 2024
Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - August 2, 2024
By The Week Staff Published
-
Netanyahu makes controversial address
Speed Reads Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's speech to Congress denounced Gaza war protestors
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Menendez convicted of bribery, fraud, and extortion
Speed Read The New Jersey Democratic Senator was found guilty in a federal corruption trial
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Florida judge dismisses Trump documents case
Speed Read Judge Aileen Cannon ruled that special counsel Jack Smith was improperly appointed
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
How could J.D. Vance impact the special relationship?
Today's Big Question Trump's hawkish pick for VP said UK is the first 'truly Islamist country' with a nuclear weapon
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Hamas says military chief survived Israeli strike
Speed Read An Israeli bombing failed to hit its intended target, military commander Mohammed Deif, but killed at least 90 Palestinians
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Biden, Trump urge calm after assassination attempt
Speed Reads A 20-year-old gunman grazed Trump's ear and fatally shot a rally attendee on Saturday
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
First Israeli report on Oct. 7 finds 'severe mistakes and errors' in IDF response
Speed Reads Israeli military admits failures in response to deadly Hamas attack that triggered Gaza war
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Biden saw neurologist during physicals
Speed Read Following his bad debate performance, many are asking questions about the president's brain
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published